Effects of bularafa (diatomaceous earth) treatment on the germinability of stored cowpea variety (IT96D – 610K).
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Date
2018
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Faculty of Science, Federal University, Oye - Ekiti, Ekiti State.
Abstract
Different storage and treatment methods, length of storage have varying effects on the germinability of stored grains. Research was carried out to on cowpea variety IT96D-610K treated with a local diatomaceous earth (grain protectant) obtained from Northern Nigeria. Two different particle sizes (0.075mm and 0.090mm) at varying concentrations of 0.1g, 0.05, 0g/100g (control) of cowpea was used in treatment to reduce weevil infestation. Storage was done in galvanised mild steel (GMS) and wooden small scale prototype silos fabricated. Storage was done for a period of 4months. Ten wholesome, uninfested seeds were taken from each silo and taken for germination test at the end of each month of storage. Test was replicated five times at room temperature in the laboratory. Results showed that particle size and concentration of DE had little effect on the germination potential of the stored cowpea. The control sample also retained the germination potential of the cowpea at the end of the fourth month. Storage period, diatomaceous earth treatment all showed effect on the germination potential of the stored cowpea. In all germinability was retained after 4 months of storage. Germinability was retained along weeks of storage as storage period increased. Higher percentage germinability was retained for both control (94%) and treated (98%) samples. The GMS storage silo was the most efficient in retaining germinability and storage. High insect mortality was recorded in the 14th week of storage in wooden silo stored with 0.075 mm particle size of Diatomaceous Earth. Maximum and minimum temperatures were (28.88˚C and 22.3˚C) and maximum and minimum relative humidity was (88% and 54%) during the study period.
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main article
Keywords
germinability, mortality, weevil, infestation, germination